De Quatrefages. — On Moas and Moa-huntcrs. 29 



other, 18ft. in the centre, and from 2ft. to 4ft. in depth. In 

 this very limited space about 3^ tons weight of bones were 

 collected, the number of moas piled up in this estuary being 

 estimated at more -than four hundred. 



These bones were very unequally preserved. A large 

 number fell to pieces at the least touch. They had evidently 

 not been deposited at the same time. But, owing to the con- 

 ditions under which the entombed remains were found at 

 Hamilton, this instance scarcely furnished exact data respect- 

 ing the relative ages of these deposits. It is different with 

 regard to the caves scientifically explored by Hochstetter. 

 Here, quite distinct beds, separated by layers of stalagmites, 

 contained different species. At the top was found Mcionomis 

 didifofmis, and below Palapteryx elephantopus . The bones of 

 the former seemed to be stdl fresh, whilst those of the latter 

 were half fossilised. This diversity of aspect corresponds with 

 the difference in chemical composition, due to a more or less 

 complete change in their tissue. The quantity of organic 

 matter found in moa-bones which have been analysed is very 

 variable. Sometimes it is only 10 per cent., while at other 

 times it reaches 30 per cent. ; this proportion being almost 

 exactly the same as that found in fresh ostrich-bones. ( 42 ) 



Hochstetter, arguing from his personal observations and 

 from some already-known facts, came very near the opinions 

 of the Messrs. Mantell (father and son). He thought that the 

 extinction of the moa should not be carried back thousands of 

 years. ( 4:) ) He considered that their existence alone could 

 explain the development which the population of New Zea- 

 land had undergone, ( 44 ) and attributed the origin of anthro- 

 pophagy to the want of animal food, resulting from the exter- 

 mination of these birds. ( 4V ) He consequently identified the 

 present race of Maoris with the moa-hunters. In support of 

 his very opposite view, Dr. Haast takes geology for a basis. 

 Moa-bones, he says, are principally found in the deposit 

 formed during the glacial period, or immediately after it.( 46 ) 

 Having himself collected a certain number of these bones 

 in situ, it seemed to him that these large birds represented in 

 New Zealand the gigantic quadrupeds which inhabited the 

 Northern Hemisphere during the Post-pliocene period. There- 

 fore he did not hesitate to carry back the existence of the moa 

 to an epoch quite as far removed from present times as that 

 of the mammoth, rhinoceros, lion, and cave-bear, the bones 



(42.) Hochstetter, p. 190. 



(43.) P. 190. 



(44.) Loc. cit., p. 194. 



(45.) Id., p. 196. 



(40.) Haast, loc. cit., p. 08. 



& & 



